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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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You may have dreamed as a child or at college about living right next door to your best friends, then come to the conclusion that this is impossible in adulthood. But one group of women has shown that it can be done.
The four best buddies, who are based in Atlanta, Georgia, have amazed viewers on TikTok after one of them revealed a surprise that sealed their "friend neighborhood" forever.
The viral video, shared on February 10 by @sbinthecityatl, showed the group—Sarabeth Stine, Kelly Holbin, Kristen Wiekierak and Erinn Cottman—sitting in a car together, their excitement growing as one of them announces that she, too, has purchased a home on the same street.
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The clip, which has been viewed more than 6.8 million times, is overlaid with the text: "POV: [Point of view] when your bestie surprises you and says she bought the house next door so that all 4 of you can live in your own little self made compound in the neighborhood."
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Women shared the story behind their friendship with Newsweek and explained how they ended up as next-door neighbors.
Holbin, 45, and, Wiekierak, 44, both originally from Michigan, met more than 25 years ago before their careers led them separately to Atlanta. They reconnected in the city, meeting Stine through mutual friends. Stine, in turn, had met Cottman through a Bible study group and later introduced her to Holbin and Wiekierak. Over time, the four became inseparable.
"We have built our own little support system," Holbin told Newsweek. "It just happened organically and now it feels like this is the way life should be."
Their journey to homeownership in the same neighborhood started more than a decade ago when Stine and her husband found a lot in a new development. Holbin, who was renting further away at the time, visited the area and, after seeing the potential, put down a deposit on a nearby lot.
"My home was ready before Sarabeth's, so I moved in first in July 2014 and then she and her family joined in September," Holbin added.
Over the years, their homes became the epicenter of their social lives. They would gather for meals—and their dogs, who they can see from each other's windows, became as much a part of the friendship as they were.
Expanding the Neighborhood
The idea of all four living in the same place was not necessarily planned but started to take shape as the women went through different life changes.
Cottman, who owns an education consulting company, was going through a personal transition when she mentioned to Stine that she was looking for a new home.
"She said, 'oh, well, the house across the street is available,' and we just kind of laughed about it at first," Cottman told Newsweek. "But then, I thought, why not? And everything just fell into place. I moved in three years ago."
The final piece of the puzzle came when Wiekierak decided to buy a home next to Cottman. She had not originally planned to move to the neighborhood, but when her friend's next-door neighbor listed their house for sale, she was encouraged to consider it.
"I looked at it, and it did not check all my boxes at first," Wiekerak told Newsweek. "But then I kept thinking about it. It was a good investment, a good home and I'd be next to my best friends."
She kept her decision a secret from Cottman and Stine, even going as far as telling them she disliked the house. Then, after finalizing the purchase, she orchestrated the big reveal, which was captured in the TikTok video.
"They had no idea," she said. "I pulled up to the driveway and their reaction was everything."
A Modern Take on Community Living
The friends say that living so close to each other has been an incredible source of support, especially as they juggle careers, parenting and daily life.
"We are not meant to live in isolation," Cottman said. "Knowing that you have your people right there is a comfort that is priceless."
Their arrangement offers both convenience, safety and security. Whether it is helping with each other's pets, picking up packages for one another or simply having someone nearby for a spontaneous walk or coffee break, the women say their "compound" makes life both easier and much more enjoyable.
"If I have a long day at work, I know Sarabeth can let my dog out," Wiekierak said. "If someone is having a rough day, we are here. We lean on each other."
For Stine and Cottman, who have sons around the same age, the friendship extends beyond the adults.
The Viral Reaction and What's Next
The post has resonated with viewers online, with many expressing admiration for the group's close-knit friendship and their unique approach to community living in an age when people seem to be growing apart.
The response to the video has been both surprising and heartwarming for the four women.
"People got so much joy from our joy," Wiekierak said. "It was amazing to see how many people resonated with our story."
Holbin added that the video made her realize how unique their situation is and how many other people who may be dealing with feelings of loneliness longed to be in a similar position.
"I think we sometimes take for granted how rare this kind of deep friendship is," she said. "But the response reminded us just how lucky we are."
With their community growing stronger each day, the friends are now thinking about how to expand their story into something bigger.
"We want to help other people find their own community," Cottman said. "It does not have to be four friends buying houses right next to each other, but we hope to inspire people to create their own support systems."
Holbin added: "One of our goals with this is to create a pathway where women feel like there is a sense of community out there, like we do, and we would love to start networking. It is never too late to find your community."
"Our hope is that we can continue to share a message with people that, you know, if you do not have your people now we can help you find your people," Stine said.
As for whether they will stay in their "friend neighborhood" forever, the answer is a resounding yes—though they joke that they might eventually have to find their next spot together.
"We absolutely talk about where the next neighborhood is," Holbin said. "Maybe it needs to be a newer development or open homes.
"I do think it is possible, and if it is not our everyday home then it would be something like a cabin where we go to, you know, relax and vacation together."
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